Study on arc ablative properties of W-Cu composites at different voltages

Complete W-Cu composite powder is prepared by electroless plating method, and then W-Cu composite material with uniform distribution and good interfacial bond is prepared by hot-pressing sintering method. Arc ablation experiments carried out on W-Cu composite materials under different voltages of 2, 4, 6 and 8 kV show that with the increase of voltage, the breakdown current increases, the discharge distance between electrodes increases, the breakdown intensity decreases, and the arc burning time increases. Scanning electron microscope and 3 D laser confocal microscope are used to observe the changes of the ablative morphology of the material surface under different voltages. It is found that with the increase of voltage, the ablative area increases, the convex height of the surface increases, and microcracks appear in the ablative area under 8 kV voltage. Raman spectroscopy shows that CuO is formed on the surface of the material after ablation. Arc ablation mechanism of W-Cu composites mainly includes melting, splashing and oxidation of Cu.